NEBOSH Course FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

NEBOSH stands for The National Educational Board in Occupational Health and Safety. It is an internationally recognised examination board for the UK health and safety industry.

NEBOSH offer globally recognised qualifications which cover health and safety, risk management, fire hazards, environmental and wellbeing. If you’re looking to progress your career in health and safety, you’ll become very familiar with NEBOSH and the various courses and training opportunities they offer, as a number of job adverts specify these qualifications.

NEBOSH certifications are highly regarded by employers and professionals in various industries worldwide. The qualifications cover different levels of expertise, from entry-level to advanced, and are suitable for individuals at various stages of their careers.

NEBOSH offers various courses, including the NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC), NEBOSH Diploma, NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate, NEBOSH Construction Certificate, and more.

Anyone who is responsible for health and safety can take a NEBOSH course, leading to a highly sought-after accredited qualification.

Yes, NEBOSH qualifications are globally recognised and respected by employers, professional bodies, and regulatory authorities in many countries.

Earning a NEBOSH qualification demonstrates your competence and knowledge in health, safety, and environmental management. It can enhance your career prospects, improve job opportunities, and help you make a positive impact in the workplace by ensuring a safer and healthier environment.

Having NEBOSH-qualified employees helps businesses provide a safe working environment, and comply with health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Choosing the right NEBOSH course depends on various factors such as your current job role, career aspirations, industry sector, and level of experience in health, safety, and environmental management.

Take time to assess each option available to you, consider your experience level, skillset, career aspirations and course syllabuses. If you’re still unsure, get in touch with our expert team of NEBOSH-accredited health and safety trainers.

The duration of NEBOSH courses can vary depending on the level and type of qualification you choose, as well as the mode of study (e.g., full-time, part-time, online).

Yes, all of our NEBOSH courses we provide can be taken online or via e-learning.

NEBOSH assessments typically involve written exams and practical assessments, depending on the course. The NEBOSH General Certificate for example, consists of an online open-book exam and a practical risk assessment.

• If you get a ‘refer’ that means you haven’t achieved enough marks to pass and you’ll need to re-sit the exam.
• If the ‘refer’ process remains unchanged for the new OBE, you can re-sit the exam as many times as you need to up to five years after you failed.
• The marks aren’t capped if you re-sit. You could fail the first time and get a distinction the second – NEBOSH won’t penalise you for a past fail.
• If you’re having an off-day when you take the exam, you can take it again before you’ve even got your marks back.
• You might be charged a fee, so speak to your training provider if you think you need to resit straightaway.
• If you’ve been unwell, struggled with childcare, or work took over in the lead up to the exam, that gives you flexibility.

To gain your NEBOSH General Certificate you must complete and pass both NG1 and NG2 assessments.

Once you receive a ‘pass’ in both of the assessments you will receive your NEBOSH certificate.

Following the NEBOSH General Certificate, you can continue on the NEBOSH educational pathway and work towards a Diploma (Degree-level) or Masters qualification.

No, once you have completed a NEBOSH course and gained a certificate, it never expires.

NEBOSH does not stipulate specific entry requirements for this qualification; however, they do state the importance of learners being able to read and write in the English language.

This is so that learners can understand and communicate the information contained in the syllabus.

It is advised that Learners undertaking this NEBOSH qualification reach a minimum standard of written and spoken English that is equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or higher.

To find out more about these language requirements, please take a look at the IELTS website.

It’s important to choose a training provider with a good reputation, high pass rates and support.

TSW is a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner

We are a widely respected Health and Safety Training provider that has been approved to NEBOSH’s highest level and awarded NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner Status.

Our Achievement Rates

We successfully deliver hundreds of health and safety qualifications each year, helping learners to achieve their NEBOSH Certification and further their health and safety careers.

Our exam pass rate is well above the national average, a testament to the level of support and learning we provide to learners.

Tutor Support

Working towards your NEBOSH qualifications TSW Training gives you access to our quality-assured network of health and safety experts.

Our Head of Health and Safety is always on hand to help and support learners. He has been a registered member of the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (created by the HSE) since its inception and is a chartered health and safety practitioner.

NEBOSH course costs vary, depending on which one you take.

For example, TSW Training’s NEBOSH General Certificate course costs £1295+VAT on our open programme. These courses are available in the classroom or online.

Our E-Learning course costs £475+VAT.

IOSH is a Chartered body, NEBOSH is an examination body

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, or as it’s more widely known, IOSH, is a Chartered membership body for workers in health and safety that also offers qualifications.

It’s based in the UK, but it’s the largest health and safety body in the world, with 48,000 members worldwide.

It’s self-regulating and governing, meaning it’s widely trusted and highly respected. As a Chartered body, IOSH keeps company with Oxford and Cambridge University, among other world-leading organisations.

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), is an awarding body. It too is based in the UK and offers 18 qualifications in health, safety and environmental management.

To find out more about the difference between IOSH and NEBOSH, take a look at our article “What is the difference between IOSH and NEBOSH?“

The NEBOSH National General Certificate In Occupational Health And Safety
is perfect for those with health and safety responsibilities, but if you are looking for a lower-level course to provide fundamental knowledge and understanding, the IOSH Managing Safely might be a better fit. Take a look at our IOSH vs NEBOSH comparison.

The NEBOSH General Certificate course is the most widely recognised health and safety qualification of its kind, designed for managers and staff who need knowledge and skills in health and safety management.

Awarded by The National Educational Board in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH), it is a level 3 equivalent qualification designed to develop your health and safety knowledge and skills and give you a highly respected and practical qualification covering:

The NEBOSH National General Certificate requires a minimum of 68 taught hours and approximately 40 hours of private study and background reading.

The NEBOSH National General Certificate is a level 3 qualification.

The general certificate is equivalent to an A Level, or Level 6 in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

The NEBOSH Certificate course is designed for managers, supervisors and any person with health and safety management responsibilities.

This NEBOSH Certificate is the perfect first step toward a successful health and safety career, it’ll put you on track for further professional study, such as the NEBOSH National Diploma.

Plus, the qualification is delivered in formats to suit any type of learner, whether you prefer a classroom course, a virtual course, or an e-learning course.

The NEBOSH General Certificate syllabus tackles the UK’s key legal requirements for health and safety.

In this course, you will hone your health and safety skills and explore how to effectively manage health and safety, learning to identify and control common workplace hazards. It also shows you how to measure your success.

The syllabus is maintained by NEBOSH, a panel of experts and learning providers. It represents current legislation and reflects health and safety challenges faced by every industry.

The full NEBOSH National General Certificate course syllabus can be found here.

The International and National NEBOSH General Certificate are very similar – they’re both level 3 qualifications that give you a Technical IOSH Membership.

The qualifications differ when it comes to legislation and laws – the National is focused on the UK’s key legal requirements.

The National General Certificate will serve your career well wherever you work in the world. If you have no plans to work overseas, you don’t need to take the International qualification.

To find out more about the similarities and difference, take a look at our article “What’s The Difference Between The International And National NEBOSH General Certificate?“

Your course materials and books are included in your course fees and we’ll post them to you ahead of your start date. If you would like to do some wider reading, make sure it’s relevant to the current syllabus – you can run books and materials past your trainer to check they’re going to help your studies.

The NEBOSH NG1 open book exam is completed on an exam date of your choosing, but we will advise you on a date that aligns with your studies. Day 1-5 of the course focuses on the NG1 subject matter, so your exam is best sat shortly after the completion of day 5 of the course.

You’ll complete the NG2 risk assessment as soon after the last study day as possible. On days 6-10 your NEBOSH trainer will guide you through working examples, the principle from which you’ll apply in your own workplace risk assessment.